With the 2012 football season over and the recruiting period in high gear, it is time to run down just where the teams in the Southeastern Conference are in preparing for the 2013 season.
Here is a thumbnail look at the Florida Gators.
2012 REVIEW: The 2012 season was one of revitalization for the Gators as one of the elite teams in college football under second-year coach Will Muschamp.
The Gators broke out of the gate with seven straight wins before losing toGeorgia17-9. The Gators bounced back by finishing the season with four straight wins, including a 37-26 win over in-state rival Florida State to finish the season 11-1. Florida held out a slight hope that it could land in the BCS National Championship Game, but that hope died when Alabama won the SEC Championship Game.
The Gators’ consolation prize was a trip the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, but Florida gave a lack luster performance against Louisville and the Cardinals beat the Gators 33-23.
SENIOR STARTERS LOST: Left tackle Xavier Nixon, left guard James Wilson, running back Mike Gillislee, WR Frankie Hammond Jr., placekicker Caleb Sturgis, nose guard Omar Hunter, defensive end Lerentee McCray, linebacker Jonathan Bostic, free safety Josh Evans
KEY JUNIORS WHO DECLARED FOR NFL DRAFT: Safety Matt Elam, defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, linebacker Jelani Jenkins, tight end Jordan Reed
RECRUITING NEEDS: After losing four seniors off the starting defense and three more underclassmen to the NFL Draft, the Gators have to make defense a priority. Running back and receivers will get special looks to replace departed starters.
COMMITMENTS: Rivals.com, like most recruiting services, hasFlorida ranked No. 1 for 2013. They list the Gators with 25 commitments, 2 five-stars and 13 4 star commits. According to Rivals, the top commitment is for Vernon Hargreaves III, a 5-11, 185, defensive back from Tampa. Florida has 13 defensive commitments according to Rivals.
Scout.com doesn’t think as highly of the Gators class as Rivals. Scout has Florida ranked No. 7 in the country and No. 3 in the SEC behind No. 2 Texas A&M and LSU at No. 5. The service also likes Hargreaves as the topFloridacommitment.
COACH SPEAK: Will Muschamp: “Got out-coached and outplayed. That’s what I told our team. That’s the bottom line. We’re building something here. We’re building a program. [The Sugar Bowl loss] was an unfortunate setback. It’s one game. We still did a lot of very positive things, in my opinion, this season. Obviously, this is a sour day and a sour note and I apologize to our fans and the university, but we’ve had a great year and we’re moving forward at a rapid pace.”